Researchers earned inclusion on the list by writing the greatest number of highly cited papers, ranking among the top 1 percent for their subject field and year of publication between 2002 and 2012. According to Thomson Reuters, the work of the scientists ranked has "consistently been judged by peers to be of particular significance and utility." The two were named highly cited researchers in a list compiled by Thomson Reuters of more than 3,000 scientists in 21 fields of research.

Both conduct research in the Ames Laboratory's Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering, and study the design, discovery, growth and characterization of novel electronic and magnetic compounds and their interesting physical properties. Canfield is also a distinguished professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Iowa State University. Bud'ko is also an adjunct associate physics professor at Iowa State.

"This honor is gratifying, but not surprising," said Ames Laboratory Director Adam Schwartz. "Our scientists have earned the respect of their peers internationally, and that is based not on reputation alone but on solid and measurable contributions to their field. We at the Lab congratulate Paul and Sergey on their recognition."